SNAP Benefit Replacements Offered After US Storms

Replacement SNAP benefits are being offered in Mississippi following storms that knocked out power supplies in parts of the state.

Why It's Important

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits provide low- and no-income households with money to buy groceries. Replacements are offered if food was destroyed as a result of a disaster, such as a flood, fire or severe weather.

A total of 24 tornadoes have so far been confirmed to have hit parts of the Magnolia State last weekend. One person was killed in the city of Natchez and several others were injured in the storms.

A stock image of a person grocery shopping using a cart. SNAP replacement benefits are available and can be applied for online. GETTY

What To Know

SNAP recipients who experienced power outage of six hours or more are eligible to have their benefits replaced, the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) said.

Replacement payments can be requested online or in-person through a recipient's local MDHS office and must be requested within 10 days of the power outage. Completed forms can be submitted via mail, email or uploaded directly to the MDHS website using the document upload feature. Replacement benefits may be issued to cover the eligible household's loss, up to the maximum SNAP benefit amount allotted for the month.

If any further assistance is needed, the Economic Assistance Customer Service Center can be contacted at 800-948-3050.

According to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, more than 150 homes and 12 businesses experienced damage across Adams, Amite, Clay, Clarke, Franklin, Harrison, Jackson, Leake, Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Perry, Scott, Smith, Rankin, Warren, Wayne, Wilkinson and Yazoo counties.

Power supplier Entergy said there was a peak of 45,131 customer outages on Saturday at 9:15 p.m. CST. As of its latest updated on New Year's Day, 784 customers remained without power.

According to a report by WAPT, Tykeria Rogers, 18, died when a tree collapsed onto her home in Natchez. Geneva Karr, 68, died early on Sunday at her residence in Lowndes County during a power cut. She relied on home oxygen, power to which was disrupted by the outage.

What People Are Saying

Mississippi Public Service Commission, in a statement to WAPT: "This heartbreaking incident serves as a distressing reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by many residents during extreme weather conditions."

What's Next

The NWS in Jackson, Mississippi has reported that more storms, including tornadoes, are expected this weekend.

"Severe thunderstorms will be possible Sunday - Sun. night," the weather service posted on X, formerly Twitter. "These storms will be capable of producing hail, high winds, and tornadoes. This is still a few days away, so be sure to tune back in for updates to impacts and timing over the next few days."